LabCorp announced that is has launched a COVID-19 testing service.
The test detects the presence of the underlying virus that causes COVID-19 and is for use with patients who meet current guidance for evaluation of infection with COVID-19. The test is available for ordering by physicians other authorized healthcare providers anywhere in the United States.
The LabCorp 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), NAA test was developed internally by LabCorp and is being made available pursuant to guidance issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). LabCorp’s test has been validated for use with respiratory samples, including nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal (OP) aspirates or washes, NP or OP swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).
The test is a qualitative assay using PCR technology. LabCorp expects test results to be available in three to four days.
LabCorp does not currently collect specimens for the test. Instead, an appropriate specimen should be collected at a healthcare facility and sent to LabCorp using standard procedures.
In addition to its test for COVID-19, LabCorp is also able to perform the CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel if needed to meet testing demand. The CDC test is for the presumptive detection of 2019-nCoV RNA in upper and lower respiratory specimens (such as nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, sputum, lower respiratory tract aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage and nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate or nasal aspirate), and other authorized specimens collected from individuals who meet CDC criteria for COVID-19 testing.
